Noise, vibration, and harmonics reducing sprocket technology

Abstract

A number of variations may include a sprocket using one or more slot(s) and/or compressive or elastic material in order to lower the NVH. A number of variations may include a sprocket which isolates the vibrations created by the impact of the chain with the sprocket so that the vibrations are prevented from traveling into the shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A product comprising:
 a sprocket having a plurality of teeth formed along a perimeter of a sprocket body; 
 the plurality of teeth separated by a plurality of roots along the perimeter of the sprocket body; 
 the sprocket body having a bore formed in a center thereof; 
 a slot formed through the sprocket body, the slot having a channel portion being defined in-part by a pair of parallel surfaces in the body extending from the root and by a bulbous portion defined by a surface of the body that connects to both of the parallel surfaces, wherein the bulbous portion has a width greater than a width of the channel portion, and further comprising an elastic material received in at least a portion of the slot and wherein the elastic material extends within an entire area of the channel portion and within only a portion of the bulbous portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The product of  claim 1 , wherein the channel portion includes a first end and a second end opposite of the first end and a length that extends from a profile of the root toward the center of the sprocket body, wherein the first end of the channel portion is adjacent the profile of the root, and wherein the bulbous portion extends from the second end of the channel portion. 
     
     
       3. A product comprising:
 a sprocket having a plurality of teeth formed along a perimeter of a sprocket body; 
 the plurality of teeth, wherein adjacent teeth are separated by a root; 
 the sprocket body having a bore formed in a center thereof; 
 at least one slot formed in the sprocket, the at least one slot having a channel portion being defined in-part by a pair of parallel surfaces in the body extending from the root and by a bulbous portion defined by a surface of the body that connects to both of the parallel surfaces, and further comprising a compressive or elastic material inserted into the slot, and wherein the compressive or elastic material extends within an entire area of the channel portion and within only a portion of the bulbous portion.